Transparency in Moldovan Governance Builds from Local Level Up
When the 120 mayors participating in USAID’s Local Government Reform Project (LGRP) assembled for a quarterly meeting, it was always a spirited occasion peppered with numerous simultaneous debates and discussions about their shared civic agendas. But this was not the case at the final meeting in March 2007.
When guests Kelly Keiderling, Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy and Vitalie Vrabie, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Public Administration, took the stage and the moderator commenced the proceedings, an unusual silence settled in. Anatol Moldovan, Mayor of Ialoveni, stated what was on the minds of many, “The LGRP is really ending, after seven years of partnership and virtually living with us – all partner communities. This partnership was like the air to us, air we need to live. And the time has come, the time when we have to be on our own, supported by the knowledge that we gained from cooperation with LGRP.”
 |
| Snapshot of the LGRP Mayors at their last quarterly meeting |
USAID launched LGRP, implemented by the Urban Institute, in February 2000. The project sought to improve local governance, management of local public finances, and delivery of municipal services in Moldova. Methodology included the application of transparency principles through citizen participation and automated municipal budgetary accounting. Partner communities throughout Moldova were selected by their demonstrated initiative and commitment to change. With public buy-in, communities outlined strategic plans for the first time, identifying the most important challenges facing their communities. Concurrently, the LGRP fiscal improvement team designed an Integrated Municipal Financial Software (IMFS) for the communities and provided training to municipal accountants. After a competitive selection process, demonstration projects identified in the strategic plans were implemented by partner communities with the financial assistance of LGRP.
By requiring public consensus on strategic plans and budgets, the LGRP broke new ground by tangibly establishing civic participation and transparency in local governments. During the course of the project, over 200 public hearings were held and attended by more than 17,000 concerned citizens. LGRP also provided office equipment and software to all partners and delivered over 2,300 days of training. In the area of municipal services, 156 small demonstration projects – from improving school heating systems, to rebuilding community centers, to providing community street lights – valuing $3 million dollars were successfully implemented. These projects alone improved the daily lives of more than 250,000 Moldovan citizens.
At the central level, LGRP collaborated with the Moldovan government to strengthen local autonomy and governance through advocacy and technical input on legislation. LGRP also built the capacity of NGOs and municipal associations to promote their stakeholder’s interests; organized national symposiums for water suppliers; and supported mayors and municipal accountants through quarterly trainings.
There are also other visible accomplishments. The IMFS software license was provided to the Ministry of Finance and was adopted as the standard for accounting by Moldovan budgetary organizations. The mayors of LPRG partner communities have become more knowledgeable in legal and fiscal issues related to their daily work and stronger and better advocates for their electorate, most of them winning re-election in both 2003 and 2007. Collaboration with international donor organizations has led to continued financing of the LGRP best practices program by the Council of Europe and additional LGRP components by UNDP. Perhaps the highest of all accomplishments was expressed by Iuri Tap, mayor of Floresti, when he said: “I am grateful for all the support LGRP has provided me and my community over the years. And I am even more grateful for being treated as an equal partner and friend, not just a recipient of assistance.”
In the seven years of implementation, USAID’s LGRP developed trust and real partnership with 120 partner communities, impacting the lives of thousands and changing the understanding of what local government can do for the people, with the people.
Back to Top ^ |
